The best honeymoon cruise ideas

Regardless of when you travel, a cruise holiday evokes feelings of romance and bliss, sailing to exotic destinations as the sun sets over the horizon. Therefore it’s a wonderful idea if you’re looking for honeymoon ideas, giving you the chance to take a dreamy voyage together as you begin your new life as man and wife.

But where do you go, and who with? That’s what I’ll try to help you with here.

Which Cruise Line?

This is a big question because if you choose the wrong cruise line for your personality, you won’t enjoy it and that dream honeymoon won’t be the perfect bliss that you deserve. In the end it comes down to what you like from your holidays – if you’re the sort of person who loves to just relax and be spoiled in luxurious surroundings, there are a number of six star cruise lines who offer supreme opulence, whereas if you’d rather be having an adventure cruise packed with fun activities there are various lines to suit.

Some of the smaller, more unique cruise lines such as Paul Gauguin and Windstar Cruises have honeymoon packages that are provided complimentary, which include champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries and mementos to help you treasure your voyage.

If it’s the luxury route you want to go down, take a look at Silversea Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Crystal Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. All of these cruise lines provide a breath-taking experience designed to be one of pure indulgence, with individual touches helping to enhance your honeymoon.

Most of these cruise lines offer a special honeymoon package which, while only available at an extra charge, goes some way to making your stay extra special – benefits range from a bottle of champagne and a mini wedding cake to special couples’ spa treatments and personal messages from the Captain.

Similar packages are still available on some of the more fun, family-orientated operators, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Lines and even Disney Cruise Line, if you’re a real fun-loving couple in touch with your inner children. Premium cruise lines like Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Celebrity Cruises offer more of a middle ground – high quality dining and contemporary spaces, without the waterslides and bright colours of the kid-friendly ships.

Where To Go?

When you’re on a cruise ship, any destination feels special, so if there’s somewhere you’ve always wanted to go then go there for your honeymoon – you don’t need to worry about how romantic it is as a place, as your cruise line will make the holiday special. However if you aren’t sure, there are some majestic places you can visit.

The Caribbean is one of those that is eternally popular with couples, and rightly so, considering the breath-taking beauty of the white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, and the incredible natural scenery that is ripe to explore. In a similar vein the islands of the Pacific are truly idyllic, including Hawaii, the islands of Fiji, Bora Bora and more. A number of itineraries on a cruise ship take you around a range of islands, so you don’t just have to pick one to visit.

For a touch of romantic culture, the Mediterranean has a wealth of striking cities well-known for both their beautiful architecture and rich history. Mediterranean cruises vary but look out for one which includes Venice – the city of romance.

Combine awe-inspiring beaches and lively cities, along with stunning countryside views, on an Australasia sailing. These showcase the magnificence of New Zealand with the natural wonders of the Australian coastline, such as the Great Barrier Reef, and the popular cities of both nations.

If you want more of an adventure, some of the luxury cruise lines offer African cruises with the chance to combine the opulence of a holiday at sea with the unbelievable experience of a safari, where you’ll see some of the most remarkable wildlife species in their natural habitat.

The Dream Package

One thing to consider when you’re looking at honeymoons is the idea of a cruise and stay package. These combine a voyage with a land holiday, letting you spend more time at an embarkation or disembarkation port. Combine a Caribbean cruise with a few nights amongst the bright lights of New York, or explore more of Sydney or Venice on relevant sailings. These allow you to spend more time relaxing too in one destination, experiencing more of the local sights and sounds.

These are a few ideas but the only limit is your own creativity, with cruise lines offering voyages all over the world and a wealth of customisable options. A cruise is definitely the way to experience that honeymoon that you deserve.

Jenni has been working in the travel industry for over 10 years. She fell in love with cruising on her first-ever cruise, a Caribbean cruise on Allure of the Seas, during her honeymoon in 2013. Nowadays, Jenni enjoys cruising with her husband and two young children. Her favourite ships are family-friendly megaships which are packed with exciting facilities. She loves sea days and had been known to skip port visits to spend more time on the ship!